Added later:The blog for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg library system called Boys Rule Boys Read focuses on boys. As does another blog -- Boys Rock Boys Read. That blog has a column of Most Popular Posts and the first one is Books Every Guy Should Read.Have fun. -wo

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Once a month a selection of the best blog posts in the Kidlithosphere (people who blog about Children's Books -- either writing or reviewing them) is collected in one person's blog. This month's Carnival of Children's Literature is located at the blog, Texas Librarian.
Click on over and enjoy. -wo

Monday, September 26, 2011

I'm busy right now working on a new form of Critical Essay for my writing class, so there won't be a new Nonfiction Monday review here today. However there are lots of interesting ones out there in the blogosphere. Check out the links at True Tales & a Cherry on Top.

Interesting, I think when I copied their names, the link to their websites came up. I see several of the 11-year-old's favorite authors here. Check them out.

(added later)Here's how they describe their blog and website:

ABOUT SMACK DAB

We're a group of middle grade authors banding together to discuss our books and writing for kids.

The publishing world has seen its share of changes recently (the closing of Borders, etc.), and in September, we'll be blogging about those changes, about where we think the industry is headed, and about how those recent changes are / aren't altering any of our writing or publicity strategies...Unless, of course, inspiration strikes, and we head off on a separate tangent...Which, let's face it, could very well happen. We're writers, after all...You can find a sampling of our work under "Smack Dab Books." For a full line-up of each author's books, check out our websites (below).

We also blog about publishing news, offer guest posts and interviews, and invite you to ask us questions about the writing process.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Reading, reading, reading. Found the book I need for a critical essay. Began essay. Checked reviews of the book only to discover it's the sequel of another book. Darn. Can't use it because I need a stand-alone book. Back to the library. Checked out four more. Reading, reading, reading.

Monday, September 19, 2011

I haven't had any boxes of books from publishers in so long, but today what should appear on my back porch -- but books from Capstone Press! An abundance of riches! Which should I read first? The pattern book from the math series? Volcano Explorers from their Landform Adventures series? Or the new nutrition book.

That's the one. (I can't turn down things about food.)
Take a look at My Plate and You by Gillia M. Olson, part of the Health and Your Body series. (illustrated by photographs) Available now.

Unless are living under a rock, OR you don't have children, you probably have heard that the food pyramid ( a representation of what you should eat and how much) has been replaced by MY PLATE. What the heck is MY PLATE? Well, right there on the first double page spread is a child on a computer looking at the website ChooseMyPlate.gov. If kids and adults go to that website, all will become clear.

The plate is divided into separate portions of fruits, grains, vegetables, and protein, with a separate circle indicating dairy right where you would place your glass or cup. No sign of fats on this plate. Vegetables and grains are about the same size and both are larger than fruits or protein. (they don't call it meat, anymore)

With two or three easy reading sentences on each page, on separate double-page spreads, the book then looks further into each portion, talking about why a person should eat this stuff.

Ah, then the book has a spread about fats and sugars -- showing no fat, but a boy drinking a sugared drink sorta like Kool-Aid, or Bug Juice as we called it at summer camp. Shouldn't they exercise? Didn't the previous food pyramid have exercize as part of a daily routine? Yes, and this book folds that into the discussion, too.

Fun Facts! Do you know that popcorn is considered a grain? (well, we do but I bet lots of kids don't.) The average person drinks about 23 gallons of milk each year. (not me. I can't drink milk.)

Glossary, Read More (three books listed, one of them from Capstone), Internet sites directed by the ever present Capstone Fact Hound, plus an index.

More Nonfiction Monday posts can be found at Tales from the Rushmore Kid. Have fun looking at these blog links and please leave comments. Sometimes comments are the only way a blogger knows that anyone is reading their blog. -wo

Saturday, September 17, 2011

If you have been on one side or the other of the PRINT IS DEAD argument, you'll find this article by Seanan McGuire to be food for thought. Click on over to Across the Digital Divide and look at the discussion from the viewpoint of about 20% of Americans -- and a heck of a lot more people in other countries.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Here's a great discussion in Atlantic Magazine by excellent children's book writers about celebrities who try to write for children. Some celebrities work hard at their writing skills and succeed. Some fail.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

I hated church today. I hate crying in public and every mention of 9-11 does that. So, it was a relief to see Cake Wreck's offering for today -- cakes to help you to Be of Good Cheer.
Enjoy. And if you actually have seen one of these cakes in person, I'm jealous.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Lisa Yee asked on Facebook, "Where were you on 9-11?"
(people don't even have to mention the year -- but just in case you've been living in a cave, it was 9-11-01)
(and if you like numbers -- today is 9 - 10 - 11. I Love it.)

This was my reply:
I was at home getting ready for work.
Since I wasn't due in for a couple of hours, I watched the TODAY show. A few minutes before they were to sign off for the east coast watchers, Mat Lauer double tapped his earpiece, as if he thought something was wrong with it. Then he announced that something was happening.
An accident.

Flash to the first tower just after it was hit. They held the show over the 9:00 hour, just talking about it wondering how such a thing could happen -- and they actually filmed the second plane hitting the second tower.
OMG!

I immediately called my workplace and told them they needed to pull out the TV, put it in the public area and Watch, as this event was played over and over.
Then we heard about the plane crashing into the Pentagon, then the news of a plane down in PA.

For the rest of the day, for the rest of the week, for the rest of the year, we waited for the other shoe to drop.
What would happen next?
I don' know about you, but I became a news-addict.
Where were you?

Friday, September 9, 2011

Busy, busy, busy the last few weeks writing and revising things for Packet 2.
I just sent it to my advisor.
I plan to take the weekend off. Relax. ...
Who am I kidding?

I have 2 meetings tomorrow and now have time to raise my head from my computer long enough to do a little housecleaning, family activities, and shopping. Oh yes, shopping. Fall doth approach and the 11-year-old won't stop growing. She probably needs all new fall and winter clothing, because her shape has also gotten more "shapely" if you know what I mean.
-wo

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Gingerbread Cowboy Anniversary Blog Blow Out begins today with the debut of the new Gingerbread Cowboy Book Trailer created by the incomparable Tina Nichols Coury and debuted at Tales of the Rushmore Kid.

She says:

To celebrate The Gingerbread Cowboy's Fifth Anniversary, I have something special for readers:I will select one name at random from people who comment on any blog tour post to receive a $50 dollar gift certificate to OutWest Marketing, an online store for shoppers who are wild about the west. The Gift certificate will be good for 60 days and include a 10% discount and free shipping so be sure to leave your email contact information at the blog, Tales of the Rushmore Kid.